Building a Ruin
Writing in history, political economy, and whatever else comes to mind

Latest

May
18
Putin's Return? To What?

Putin's Return? To What?

On February 24, 2022, Russia’s forces launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. That same day, many Russia watchers found
13 min read
Jan
05

Economic Issues in Emerging Markets

As requested on Twitter, here is my syllabus: Course Schedule Concepts of Economic GrowthReading: Eva Szalay, “Pound Is Becoming an
4 min read
Dec
31
A quick note on inflation and price controls

A quick note on inflation and price controls

I am a loud and proud member of "team transitory"—I’ve argued that the recent spike in the Consumer
10 min read
Nov
15
Adolph Lowe and the Political Economy of the Traverse

Adolph Lowe and the Political Economy of the Traverse

Daniele Tavani and  Luke Petach have a working paper out that has become one of my favorite readings for the
10 min read
Nov
01

In Memory of Janos Kornai: The Contradictions of a Surplus Economy

Janos Kornai passed away on October 18, 2021, at 93. Kornai was an extraordinarily interesting economist and a sharp critic
9 min read
Oct
15
A Bank Run on Supply Chains?

A Bank Run on Supply Chains?

Supply chains are mainstream news now! Before last summer, it seemed that supply chains problems were just the domain of
11 min read